FAQ
What is the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP)?
MOP is a diverse, independent public-private partnership created specifically to advance coastal and marine spatial planning for the Commonwealth’s coastal ocean waters. MOP ultimately aims to promote healthy, resilient ocean ecosystems and thriving, sustainable marine dependent communities, industries and businesses through implementation of the goals and objectives outlined in our Five Year Strategic Plan.
MOP’s primary near-term goal is to support the efforts of the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), pursuant to the Oceans Act, to develop and implement the best ocean-use management plan possible— one that fairly represents all interests, is based on sound scientific principles and that will serve as a model for other states and regions.
Within the Massachusetts ocean-management planning process, what is the functional difference between the Mass Ocean Partnership (MOP) and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)?
The Mass Ocean Partnership is responsible to its Partners and its funders, for the implementation of MOP’s Five Year Strategic Plan. MOP’s ambitious program activities fall into two main categories: stakeholder engagement and science-management integration. Consistent with that, the Partnership’s specific roles in supporting EEA ocean management planning include: providing strategic and consultative support to enhance public input and stakeholder involvement; and technical consultant support for identifying and evaluating planning framework alternatives, enhancing the ocean data network, applying ecological and economic modeling or other tools to support decision making, and developing indicators of ocean health/resiliency and overall plan effectiveness. Our near-term goal is to help MA produce and then implement the best ocean management plan possible. MOP is not a governmental agency and has no regulatory authority. The Massachusetts EEA is responsible for developing and implementing a statewide integrated ocean-management plan by December 31, 2009, pursuant to the Massachusetts Oceans Act of 2008.
Who funds the Mass Ocean Partnership?
The Massachusetts Ocean Partnership is generously supported by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (http://www.moore.org). In addition we have secured an operating endowment from the University of Massachusetts President’s Office to support the implementation of MOP’s Five Year Strategic Plan. Our grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation includes a matching fund requirement and MOP is currently in the process of diversifying our funding sources.
How can my organization become a Partner?
It’s easy to become a Partner. Our Partners view coastal and marine spatial planning as positive step for Massachusetts and support the implementation of MOP’s Five-year Strategic Plan to advance ocean management.
What is the purpose of ocean management planning?
The ultimate purpose of coastal and marine spatial planning is to determine where specific ocean uses will be permitted (utilizing public comment, stakeholder input and credible scientific information) to ensure that ocean ecosystems are healthy and resilient so they can provide the services we want and need. Some uses can overlap and be accommodated in the same geographic area (for example: recreational fishing, marine transportation and commercial fishing can potentially occur in the same area) while other uses may require exclusive access to certain locations at specific times of the year (for example: endangered right whale foraging habitat).
How can I have input into the ocean management planning process in MA?
There are multiple ways to provide input and participate in the planning process both through EEA’s established vehicles and through participation in science and stakeholder projects through the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership.